BAKU, Azerbaijan, Mar. 4
By Ilkin Seyfaddini – Trend:
Tashkent has hosted the launch of seven grant projects in Central Asia under the SWITCH-Asia program aimed at supporting sustainable consumption and the transition to a low-carbon green economy, Trend reports citing Uzbek media.
The EU SWITCH-Asia program was launched in 2007. Currently, it covers 24 countries on the continent. In 2019, Central Asia was added to its list of participants. In total, it implements 23 new projects, 7 of which are for Central Asia.
SWITCH-Asia funds pilot projects to help small and medium-sized enterprises adopt cleaner technologies and sustainable production practices.
EU's Ambassador to Uzbekistan Eduards Stiprais noted at the event that Europe and Central Asia face the same consumption and production patterns.
At the same time, he added that in order to succeed in combating climate change, collective efforts are needed, as well as investments in the right direction of green projects.
The Head of Cooperation Division of the EU Delegation to Uzbekistan, Francois Begeot, presented the priorities of SWITCH-Asia Central Asia program. In particular, he noted that, EU and CA are focused on achieving Sustainable Development Goal number 12 on the way of solving climate change problems.
The list of projects for Central Asia for Uzbekistan includes: resource efficiency in agro-industrial complex, revival of sustainable production of ikat and silk; introduction of best sustainable practices in tourism in the supply chain of tourist services; model of sustainable tourism in Central Asia: capacity building, awareness raising, introduction of technologies; promotion of energy efficiency and renewable energy production in the local tourism sector.
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